Vote to demolish old Collin County courthouse a Brutal decision

by Bill Baumbach of The Collin County Observer

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The McKinney City Council never mentioned tearing the Brutalism-style building down until after the title was transferred to them.

Collin County's McDonald Street courthouse

To the surprise of no one, the McKinney City Council voted Wednesday to demolish the old county courthouse on McDonald Street.

The sale and proposed destruction of the old courthouse has not been without its share of well-deserved controversy. In 2006, at the time of the sale, Commissioner Jerry Hoagland vigorously opposed selling the old courthouse for what amounted to a fire sale price of $8 million. However, he lost that argument because the other commissioners believed the City of McKinney when they said they needed the floor space as they were outgrowing their old city hall facility. The plan was that the city would renovate for an inexpensive move-in.

They never mentioned tearing the building down until after the title was transferred.

The Texas Historical Commission also objected to the sale and destruction. The Historical Commission characterized the old six-story cube as a "good example of a modern form of architecture known as Brutalism which is gaining notoriety and appreciation among architects and historic preservationists."

A year ago, citing a law that required state permission before a county courthouse could be sold, the Historical Commission fined Collin County $1,000 for violating the law on preserving old courthouses.

Pegasus News Content partner - The Collin County Observer